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Press Coverage October 2019 that’s also part of the Valley- the loop’s east leg, hovers above golf This Cave Creek circumnavigating Maricopa Trail that communities and ranches backed by hiking trail has connects all 10 county parks. the commanding form of Black Mountain and the distant blade-like pinnacles The ascent is mitigated by long Superstition Mountains. and quartz along its switchbacks cut from foothills that swing around desert trees and A final swing on cliffs above a deep loop saguaro-cluttered bends. The first gorge leads hikers through sunny Mare Czinar, big views are revealed after less than range land where the Quartz and Special for The Republic a mile of uphill trudging. Sloping Jasper trails spin off for optional Published 7:00 a.m. MT Oct. 31, canyon walls frame hazy patterns of geology-themed side trips or a 2019 downtown Phoenix and the jagged shorter loop for young kids. silhouettes of the Hieroglyphic Situated in a hilly slice of desert just Mountains west of the Valley. a few miles east of Interstate 17, Cave Creek Regional Park is bordered by an eclectic brew of subdivisions, strip malls, nature preserves and national forest. Somehow, the seemingly mismatched adjacencies blend into a Scaly rock formations at Gunsight Pass on the Go sort of extended back yard for North John Loop. (Photo: Mare Czinar/Special for The Valley outdoor recreation. Replete Republic) with the standard amenities of Cholla cactus frames views of the Cave Creek Go John Trail suburban patio life, the family- Mountains. (Photo: Mare Czinar/Special for The friendly park has a nature center, Republic) Length: 5.8-mile loop. frequent workshops and events, Rating: Moderate to difficult. The west leg tops out at a saddle picnic ramadas, restrooms, water, Elevation: 2,088-2,520 feet. where the first of several benches playground, horse staging area and Admission: $7 per vehicle. offers a place to enjoy glimpses of camping. the Cave Creek Mountains and the But beyond the grills and easy Getting there: 37900 E. Cave Creek distinctive pachyderm profile of interpretive trails, there are plenty of Parkway, Cave Creek. From Carefree Elephant Mountain appears to the ways to escape into the wild end of Highway in Cave Creek, go 1.5 miles north. the 2,922-acre site. north on 32nd Street to the park A large clearing on the saddle makes entry gate. Follow the main park a good spot to take a breather before Of the eight trails in Cave Creek road to the Go John trailhead. continuing on the less steep Regional Park, Go John is the segments that complete the classic. As the core loop in the park’s Details: maricopacountyparks.org/ca loop. The route dips and climbs 14-plus-mile trail system, the ve-creek. through shaded drainages, washes moderate-rated hike explores some Read more of Mare Czinar's hikes and ridges lined with outcroppings of the most remote and scenic at arizonahiking.blogspot.com. of vertically tilted metamorphic corners of the property. rocks that shed in thin sheets, coating the ground in glinting tile- The beautiful thing about loop hikes 100 miles' challenge like scales. like this one is the continually begins changing views and Go John delivers Oct 31, 2019 Adding to the interesting geology are the goods in far-reaching vistas, Fountain Hills Times deposits of white quartz that show cloistered passages, a variety of up as scattered pebbles and artfully geological features and rich plant veined boulders near defunct mining communities. operations. To get the major climbing done first, About halfway through the hike, begin the loop at the north trail sign Gunsight Pass, a high point with where the route dives right into the bizarre blade-like rock pinnacles on zig-zagging western leg of the loop Page 1 Press Coverage October 2019 and search for “MC parks 100 miles to know our diverse regional park in 100 days.” Here, participants can system and jump-start the outdoor share milestones, find hiking season in Maricopa County,” buddies, seek out trail Maricopa County Parks and recommendations, post photos and Recreation Department Director, join in on upcoming activities. The R.J. Cardin said. page is managed by the department’s interpretive rangers, who have also While the Challenge initially started developed fitness hikes to help out as an Arizona centennial challenge participants reach their celebration, it has become an annual program and personal goals. program. Maricopa County’s Parks and Last year, 31 of the 410 individuals Recreation Department is preparing To learn more about the challenge that completed the Challenge logged for the launch of their annual 100 and how to become eligible for the at least 200 miles. If that wasn’t Miles in 100 Days Challenge on grand prize drawing of an annual impressive enough, one mountain Friday, Nov. 1. park pass ($85 value) and $25 Nature biker logged nearly 1,300-miles, Center retail voucher (total value not according to the parks department. “With an inventory of nearly 600- to exceed $110), miles of trails, we know that our visit maricopacountyparks.net. Visit parks and trails are a huge draw for the “Things to do” section, then residents and visitors,” said R.J. click on "Specialty Programs" and Cardin, Maricopa County Parks select the 100 Miles in 100 Days and Recreation Department Challenge. The Maricopa County director. “The 100 Miles in 100 Days Parks site is also where participants Challenge is a great way to get to can peruse a list of parks and look know our diverse regional park up additional information. system and jump-start the outdoor season in Maricopa County.” The program runs through 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. Celebrations While the Challenge initially started to recognize those who complete the out as an Arizona Centennial challenge have been scheduled at celebration, it has become an annual seven of the county’s regional parks program. The goal of the program is for Saturday, March 7, 2020. In to log 100 miles in 100 days. Last addition, everyone who completes year, 31 of the 410 individuals that the challenge will receive a limited completed the challenge logged at edition tee-shirt at the celebration. least 200 miles. One mountain biker Pictured: Views from the Cave Creek Regional Park, which is a part of the county’s trail system and the managed to log nearly 1,300 miles. Maricopa County 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge. (Photos by Tara Alatorre) Collectively, those who completed Parks challenge the challenge logged 55,281 miles on “With an inventory of nearly 600 county trails. To put things into participants to trek miles of trails, we know that our perspective, participants traveled the hundreds of miles parks and trails are a huge draw for distance around the circumference October 30, 2019 residents and visitors,” Cardin said. of the Earth more than twice. FoothillsFocus Collectively, those who completed “The challenge kicks off on Nov. 1 PHOENIX – The Maricopa the Challenge logged 55,281 miles and we already have more than 600 County’s Parks and Recreation on county trails. To put things into eager participants registered,” Cardin Department will launch its annual perspective, participants traveled the added. 100 Miles in 100 Days Challenge on distance around the circumference Knowing that it can be somewhat Friday, November 1. The goal of the of the Earth more than twice. difficult to stay motivated during the program is to log 100 miles in 100 “The Challenge kicks-off on holiday season, the department days on county trails. November 1, and we already have offers a community page on “The 100 Miles in 100 Days more than 600 eager participants Facebook. Visit the social media site Challenge is a great way to get to get registered,” added Cardin. Page 2 Press Coverage October 2019 So lace up your hiking boots or Hikers and runners need to hike or Knowing that it can be somewhat running shoes, dust off the run 100 miles to complete the difficult to stay motivated during the mountain bikes, and saddle up those challenge. holiday season, the department horses because the 100 Miles in 100 offers a community page on Days Challenge begins soon. Mountain bikers and horseback Facebook. Here, participants can riders need to log 200 miles to share milestones, find hiking To learn more about the hiking complete the challenge. Parks and buddies, seek out trail challenge and how you can become Recreation's website describes how recommendations, post photos and eligible for the grand prize drawing to do a combination of activities. join in on fun activities. visit: https://www.maricopacountyparks. People who complete the challenge The social media page is managed net/things-to-do/activity/100-miles- can be entered to win an Annual by the department’s interpretive in-100-days-challenge/. For a list of Pass and $25 Retail Center voucher. rangers who have also developed County parks and additional Register at this site to join the fitness hikes to help participants information, visit challenge. Log miles with the "100 reach their program and personal maricopacountyparks.net. Mile Challenge" app, an electronic goals. log form or a hard copy. The program runs through 4 p.m. on Could you hike 100 Miles must be completed on Saturday, February 8, 2020. miles in 100 days? Maricopa County trails. See more Celebrations to recognize those who rules here. complete the Challenge have been Join this challenge scheduled at seven of the County’s to prove it. regional parks for Saturday, March 7, The Maricopa County challenge encourages Local Roundup: 2020.